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  1. #1
    The ill-advised world music album
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    Default New Gear Day: Vintage Paul Brett Parlour

    I saw this little beauty in Ivor Mairants on Saturday and had to have a play.

    http://www.ivormairants.co.uk/vintag...ur-guitar.html



    It sounded great, really lively, vocal little guitar that responds to both hard and soft touch. Even more amazing was how good the under-saddle Fishman pickup sounded. I couldn't put it down. It loves opening tunings and the intonation is spot on - better than some guitars costing 4 times the price.

    I tried out a few other guitars there: the Vintage Gordon Giltrap signature looked nice but ha a fair few QC issues (tbh it looked unfinished) and didn't sound great to me, and a Guild OM which sounded surprisingly dead.

    I ended up getting the parlour for a good price (£379) and it comes with a nice semi-hard case. It's a nicely made guitar, the only small issue is the nut could do with being finished a bit better (some sharp edges). The electronics are nicely done - no ugly plastic battery compartment or panel on the top bout, just a couple of discreet thumbwheels inside the soundhole.

    Wouldn't be surprised if this guitar becomes the go-to parlour for under a grand. While it doesn't look quite as pretty as the Faith Mercury parlour, or built to quite the high standard of the Tanglewood TW73, it sounds much, much better imho.
    Last edited by mellowsun; 2nd December 2012 at 07:07 PM.

  2. #2
    The rehab years
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    Default

    Ah, looks very tasty. I like the idea of a parlor shape with a 14-fret join. I see there's a 12-string too. Good score!

    Cheers,
    Al.
    Please waiting .... Installation completely!

  3. #3
    Cockroaches & Keith Richards
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    is it all solid Phil ? Not sure about the 14th fret........is the scale the same as on a 12th ?

    EDIT

    sorry, should have said this first -- GOOD GAS, and it does look an absolute cracker
    ......"Bertie is pretty much a zen master..................."

  4. #4
    The ill-advised world music album
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    Quote Originally Posted by bertie View Post
    is it all solid Phil ? Not sure about the 14th fret........is the scale the same as on a 12th ?
    Hi bertie, yes it's all solid: spruce top, rosewood back and sides, nice maple binding too. It's a bit of a hybrid guitar: it has a full scale length of 649mm, so not a typical parlour there, but that works really well for me.

    Will post a video later in the week so you can hear how it sounds.

  5. #5
    Difficult second album
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    If it wasn't raining I'd walk down there and try one out myself. Maybe tomorrow lunchtime.

  6. #6
    The next big thing
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    I've just checked out Paul Brett's video and it looks like a lot of guitar for the money. What made you decide on a Parlour?
    664 - The Neighbour of the Beast

  7. #7
    The ill-advised world music album
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    Quote Originally Posted by BigLicks67 View Post
    What made you decide on a Parlour?
    I used to have a Tanglewood TW73 parlour but I sold that as the narrow neck width was hard to get on with. I'd toyed with the idea of getting a replacement: tried a Faith Mercury but that sounded pretty boxy to me.

    Just happened to pop into Mairants on Saturday and saw the Vintage, had a play on it and thought it was just too good to pass up.

  8. #8
    Cockroaches & Keith Richards
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    Quote Originally Posted by BigLicks67 View Post
    I've just checked out Paul Brett's video and it looks like a lot of guitar for the money. What made you decide on a Parlour?
    cos they are theeeee most comfortable to play, and get a well made one and they can bely their diminuttive size.

    If you're predominantly a pic strummer, then they might not be for you, but if, like me you're a 99% finger player - they are very very hard to beat

    I have a parlor and a large OM sized acoustic (and a dread, but I got that donkeys years ago !! ) my parlor is my "go to " guitar and its a Faith (which I got for a very very good price off another forumite), but I dont find at all boxy, (even tho its 12th fret join and short scale) its very loud and projects wonderfully tho it does have a pig ugly headstock so Id be very interested to play/hear/see the Vintage (not from its electronics tho)
    Last edited by bertie; 3rd December 2012 at 08:11 PM.
    ......"Bertie is pretty much a zen master..................."

  9. #9
    The next big thing
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    I've always been tempted to get one. I have a cheap classical that has really great tone and is nicely balanced. I tried a New Yorker years ago and liked it (not sure if that's a 12th fret/14 fret). I've heard that 12 fret guitars have a sweet spot. I can see I'm going to have to get down to the music shop and have a go on one.

    Here's a link if you want to see one - the guy looks a bit of a character :
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vvIrWTb0AU
    664 - The Neighbour of the Beast

  10. #10
    Cockroaches & Keith Richards
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    the 6 sounds really good, dont like the 12 (then again I dont really like 12s full stop ) Im worried that if I play one, I may want one..........
    ......"Bertie is pretty much a zen master..................."

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